567 Comments

If the American people elect Trump, they might as well be voting to put the head of the KGB in the Oval Office. It’s obvious that Trump supports Russia’s geopolitical goals over America’s. He is an enemy of the State… something I hope Biden says during the upcoming debate (after explaining why this is true). Biden should essentially put Trump on trial during the debate … since the SCOTUS and Judge Cannon are preventing that from happening before the election. Biden should expose who Trump is and what Trump has done!

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If Trump wins, the survival of the republic may come down to how seriously military officers take their oaths to the Constitution rather than to the Commander-in-Chief. 😰

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Daniel,

My father, and two uncles fought in WW2. My father already had my three eldest siblings and by the time he was drafted and sent to Europe, the war was ending. He came home unscathed. Sadly, my uncles did not.

They did not die, but each sustained life-altering injuries. One uncle was a German POW. He had a head injury--the details of how he got it was never discussed--but his injury was not treated correctly if at all while in the prison camp. He suffered epileptic seizures the rest of his life, in fact, many years later, one stuck while he was on a ladder causing him to fall. That fall caused him to break his back, and internal organ that also resulted took his life a few days later. This happened one month after he retired. He never should have taken a chance and been on the high ladder, but after all he'd already lived through, I guess that fear had left him.

My other uncle who was my godfather was injured by an explosion which rendered him a paraplegic. His photo was in newspapers as being the grateful recipient of

" a gallon of blood" used to his surgeries. He eventually lost both legs, amputated above the knee. He also used the GI bill to become an accountant, and supported himself and his family by creating his own accounting firm. One of my earliest memories is being about 3 years old. I had memorized the Pledge of Allegiance and recited it for him, at which he rewarded me with a quarter. That was quite a sum back then, as I could take that quarter to the "penny candy" store (younger readers: yep, they were real, and you could choose candies one at a time, a penny each!) and fill a tiny paper bag with enough loot to share with other children.

An epileptic and an amputee. Trump would definitely term them lesser.

I really, truly believe that my father and uncles would be appalled and disgusted at how quickly their children and grandchildren have forgotten what they fought for. But then, how quickly the Trump campaign paints rosy picture of life a mere four years ago, saying it was better. Better?!?! I recall toilet paper shortages and meat-truck lockers, loaded with COVID victims, parked outside the nearby hospitals!!

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I thank them all for their service and for the pain they all suffered as a result.

My Dad was a WW2 US Army medic. Four campaigns, four years, four Bronze Stars for valor. He suffered intensely when he returned to the States for the rest of his life, dying at 59 from lung cancer (free cigarettes!). Let us all honor their sacrifices to protect our freedoms and democracy by Voting for Biden 2024.

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It is sad and shocking to me when military people support Trump. I wonder what are they thinking. Of course I wonder what any of them are thinking when they support Trump. My father was an army veteran in WWII. Thankfully, he came home, but he never talked about it. On occ. I would pick up a tidbit here and there from others. He was in Normandy and battle of the bulge. I understand he was shot, but apparently it hit his backpack. One time it came out he was afraid to go on airplanes. I was born in 1954. I have some wonderful memories. He was a man of honesty and integrity. I can only imagine all the veterans turning over in their graves. It’s sad to say, but I’m glad my father doesn’t have to witness todays politics.

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It is sad, Josie, Sheila, Miselle, Daniel, Ned, very sad. But, there is still much that we can do to honor their sacrifices and save the day for ourselves and those who come after us. We can work like hell to get Democrats elected. Let's do this. We may not be remembered as "the Greatest Generation," but we'll have the satisfaction of knowing that we saved democracy here and around the world.

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Yes, a quarter was a lot. My mom would give us each a dime on a hot summer night and we would take a car ride with the windows down to help cool off and go to the general store that had a penny candy counter. My brother loved jaw breakers and hot balls and I liked the soft caramel swirls or licorice wheels. Nice memories. Remember candy necklaces and wax lips?

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Yes, I do! My favorite was the dark purple grape gumballs. I also recall the paper strips with the candy dots on them. There were also the "flying saucers" which, as Catholic children, we played "Communion" with--we'd peel the halves of the saucers apart, eat the tiny spheres inside and use the saucer to place on each other's tongue. I also remember the debate as to whether to invest an entire nickel to buy a Hershey's chocolate bar.

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I had forgotten the long strips of paper with pastel colored dots! I never heard of the "flying saucers."

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There is no more worthy organization than VoteVets.

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Hooray! I love those advertisements! Thank you, Daniel, thank you so much.

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If you are on Facebook, please go to military and history sites and say the magic words, "not suckers or losers,"

4 million people on Facebook are veterans or active duty members. 12.5 million people on Facebook are family members of a veteran or an active duty member. 242 million people on Facebook are friends with one or more veterans or active duty members.

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FB banned me for saying that chump used Goebbels rules for effective propaganda. They need to be aired on tv

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FB is so f'in tedious. After being hacked and having to close my credit card, and also finding some of my posts disappearing, I wrote to my "FB Friends" and said I was closing down my account. I left remaining some family and very few friends and cured an addiction to using F.

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Notgoing to be a Replican majority military vote this time you think?

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Not like last time. I'm in a veterans' discussion group. Trump is obviously not credible about "suckers or losers" and about keeping top secret documents

The thrill is gone. They can lose any government pension they might have if convicted of insurrection.

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Great idea, Daniel. I'm gonna do that.

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Thank you Daniel. Why is it that Navy veterans are such MAGAnazis? My father-in-law, my neighbor and one of my best friends all served in the Navy and worship the ground Convicted Felon Donald Trump walks on.

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Hi - as a Vietnam-era vet Navy vet I may be the exception to your rule on Navy vets supporting Trump. After extensive reading on authoritarians and Hitler in particular, I can see clearly what Trump is and what he will do to this country if reelected. My husband is disabled and reliant on the VA for care and medications. If Trump comes back into office and allows his lackeys to dismantle the VA my husband will have difficulty finding the care he needs at a cost we can afford. I live in terror of a Trump reelection but I feel that there are many Americans who won't rest until they have the authoritarian they deserve in office. Once Trump's draconian rule reaches into their pocketbooks and lives they'll most likely want Trump out of their lives but it will be too late.

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The Republicans seem to vote against the best interest of Veterans every chance they get, but so many veterans love him.

I don't get it either. My dad was in the Navy in WWII but he was a lifelong Democrat since his father was in the Carpenter's union and the Democrats supported unions.

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You could find people like that in every occupational group, but yes, the USN vets I know are like that too.

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Propaganda works, and not just on fools and losers

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He energizes men who are feeling loss of respect as men and warriors. The energy coming from women has provoked fear and feelings of disrespect. Men were the leaders for centuries.. and now they're having to create space for women. Not being a first hand witness, I can't say exactly what's coming from the women. Certainly, many have stepped into positions and are often ranked higher than before. These particular men are feeling emasculated.. that their circle of influnence and power has been diminished. Am imagining how the Donald would respond in pubilc to a savvy, strong woman running against him. He is, in fact, emblematic of the shift. He pays for sex! For me that shows weakness.

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Thank you, Daniel.

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Wish they aired in Texas

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Unable to access either of these. Hmmmm??

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What a scary thought, Ned. The possibility is real.

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Thank you, Christine.

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I hope they have a plan

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You mean an insurrection?

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I would think it would be more like the military leadership refusing to carry out Trump's orders.

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That's called an insurrection. Isn't that the leftist dream. Censor speech, control

the economy, and dictate everything.

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Personally, I hope Biden needles El Jefe Shitforbrains into having his massive fatal myocardial infarction on national TV during the debate, proving his Lifelong Loserness forever.

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I've had the same fantasy but then I wonder if it is one of those wishes that I should be careful of. If democracy want to drive a stake into the heart of the MAGA oligarchy fantasy it needs to win overwhelmingly at the voting booth. A muted Trump will be replaced by one of syncophants that are licking their lips and hoping that what you wish for will actually happen.

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Vance and the Dakota gov’s are waiting in the wings for Orange demise.

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Heritage Society already has some picked out

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Heritage Foundation. Federalist Society. Koch Network. ALEC.

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So many, it’s hard to count

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Agree. It's the 'Ten year Memory Lesson - 101'..e.g: you wipe out the HMFICC (their leader), then who you gonna deal with.. Jabber-Jordan? Better to have that total POS (nin-com-poop) #45 on stage, he's the lead (Pb) balloon, leading the (R)ss-hole Party into the abyss. This debate will not be the time to refute any of #45's baloney, but it will be time to control the narrative and cite changes (fact) that are visible, not libtard rhetoric. And, this moment will also offer the chance to throw a few bones to the corporate world which has benefitted financially under this administration, bringing better wages (long overdue) often construed to be inflation, improving our standard of living. I can't wait to watch #45 as his rhinoceros-mouth overloads his hummingbird (R)ss.

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I watched that yesterday I think. He is absolutely great! Between this site here, Civil Discourse, Beau, politics Girl, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver, I avoid having to look at or listen to the Orange Menace most of the time.

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Interesting!!

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I love the (Pb) Balloon. Nicely done!

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Only Trump has that special charisma. No Trump? No Trumpism. Game over, at least for the near future.

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TC, for years, first task in the morning was to check to see if he died. I seriously think he must have sold his soul to the devil, as I can't see what keeps him alive. Overweight, avoider of exercise, overconsumer of junk food and Type A personality.

No other explanation crosses my mind.

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Oh, but didn't you see the excerpt from his speech over the weekend where he talked about all the wounds over his body? That if he took his shirt off you would see them, oh & his beautiful body, too? Like Heather said, even FOX cut away!!!!

My actual wish is for him to have a massive stroke that leaves him conscious & aware but drooling & unable to speak, be stuck in a wheelchair with a diaper. Hey, great new business opportunities, items to sell: gold wheelchairs & trump diapers!

I still feel a twinge of guilt when I make that wish. It really is cruel & I try not to be a mean, hateful person but as with others, he brings out the worst in just about everyone!

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I've had the same fantasy. I think it would be much worse for him than dying. Sometimes I feel guilty, but mostly I don't. I'm sad that such a person exists. I'm even sadder that he has such a following. I'm not sure what his sycophants have planned if he loses it completely, mentally or physically. THAT scares me. Lets work on not finding out.

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Don't say s*** like that. It drags the whole comment section down.

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Have you seen the clips of his rallies where people are wearing giant gold diaper that say "real men wear diapers" on them?!

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No! I haven't! Wonder how much they cost?

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I saw them on a clip one of the left pundits (probably David Pakman?) showed.

A quick google search didn't find the golden ones, but there is this:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/why-are-trump-supporters-wearing-diapers-to-his-rallies/ar-AA1o5gA5

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Re: the wounds. Five. There assuredly are five. His believers will tell you so's you know.

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You’re not alone. Check for this every day. Then on to HCR.

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Only the good die young...

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No offense, but such a comment on this open forum seems a little far right to me. I've always felt that Trump was the only opponent Biden could beat as he does such a good job at self-destruction.

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I've always felt that that Biden's support is due to the recognition that he's the best choice for accomplishing the essential task of defeating Trump.

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Forget Trump comparisons. Biden has very effectively delivered. Period

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You're right, there is no Biden-Trump comparison, but that's not the comparison I was making. I'm saying that, in 2024, there is no better Democrat candidate than Biden.

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But who gives him credit.???

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Us, and its up to us to amplify it, right? Good Trouble and all

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Far right?

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I agree with you Jeri. The tRumPutin act is the best way to insure a Democratic triumph. MAGA is in total self-destruct mode.

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President Biden, “Oh Gawd, what’s that smell? June surprise, I think Donald just crapped his pants!” … just like back at the NY Courthouse. The longer the debate, the more likely incontinence could for the first time, decide a presidential race. Adderal, diet cokes, old age don’t mix well.

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Oh, I might ought to watch

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Steve, While I agree that Biden, so to speak, “should…put Trump on trial,” I would add, not by name calling, wherein Biden merely would discredit himself, but by logically and methodically exposing the deceptions and distortions espoused daily by Trump while also enumerating both his own accomplishments and his plans, moving forward, to further advance them.

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Biden should by all means project the adult in the room. Compared to Trump, that should be easy, but some well chosen words might highlight the difference.

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J L, Expanding on my original comment, I believe Biden has an opportunity to appear quite strong if he exploits every opening to put Trump, so to speak, on a witness stand, calling out when answers contradict the facts and deriding Trump for campaign rhetoric that doesn’t square with facts.

This past weekend at debate prep, former White House Counsel Robert Bauer answered questions in a mock debate the way he understood Trump would. I truly hope this afforded Biden practice in disallowing Trump’s deceptions and distortions to go unanswered.

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Bauer, putting himself in a toxic swamp for the cause... good man.. he just did an interview on Morning Joe, talking over his book Unravelled, and of course his prep work with Biden. Not the first time, I gather.

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Frank, I understand this was not Bauer’s first rodeo. I might add, in my view, the election, largely, could land on how effectively Biden manages the hate, the division, and the fear that Trump feasts on, while showing the country he (Biden) can work on legitimate issues and grievances.

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I agree with your statement. I believe in Biden’s ability to understand and manage a bully. On the other hand, as someone said, it’s hard to play chess against an opponent whose tactic is to eat the pieces and try to stab you in the eye with the corner of the chessboard.

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A tad of pressure, Joe does it better

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There's an indeterminate amount of control either candidate has in my mind. But we always expect the Dems to ride a more civil, higher moral plane than the GOP, from which we routinely expect "dirty tricks"... that well precedes even Nixon.

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Barbara: I hear and agree with you, but I also think that contrary to Michelle Obama's words, you don't go to a gun duel with a knife. So many of us want to hit tfg upside the head (minimally) and get him off the stage, but Biden HAS to respond with the same energy albeit not destructively. A huge feat, but he has excellent people on his team.

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And one can hope that the moderators would find ways to rein Trump in when he interrupts and hogs the microphone.

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Pat, You might recall mics will be muted unless the candidate is called upon to speak.

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And there'll be no studio audience that he can speak to, even without a mic.

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Yes, of course, and I don't think Trump could be trusted not to keep blabbering LOUDLY if he felt the need to.

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Barbara Jo, Robert Reich titled his last substack piece "Why I'm Scared Sh!tless About Thursday" -- not because Trump is incoherent, but because Trump will portray himself as "strong" and Biden will appear weak. He recalled the Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960, which Kennedy won* because he was handsome, younger, appeared in good health and looked directly into the camera. Nixon, on the other hand, provided better responses but looked sweaty and turned away from the viewers. He also describes a recent conversation he had with a young conservative who said the US needs an odious thug to counter the other odious thugs in the world, and that someone "needs to take control", letting the cat out of the bag.

Based on what I've been reading about how each both candidates are prepping for the debate, never mind CF45's inability to convey a meaningful, informed answer to any policy questions, Biden should come out the winner. Interesting though that Jackson says Biden is the one who should be taking a drug test.

*I've heard it said that, to a radio audience Nixon won the debate, but Kennedy took the TV audience.

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Doug, I both read and commented to Reich’s piece. My comments there and here are my appraisal of how Biden best can appear strong.

Btw, I recall hearing the same about the contrast between the radio audience vs. the TV audience. Of course, that contrast doesn’t apply here.

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Time to catch the rat in self-contradictions.

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I agree. Since Trump likes to either assign rude nicknames at worst, and mispronounce names at best, Biden could call him Donald Dump, which reportedly would be accurate. But that would be going down to the 3rd grade mentality.

He could mispronounce "Trump" as "Tump" and even excuse it as his stuttering, but the MAGA wouldl howl and point to it as senility.

I am so sick of this all. I foolishly thought that when Biden won, the orange menace would retreat to Mar a Lago where he could consider himself king.

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Miselle, While I imagine we’re all sick of this nonsense, we also know that if Biden were to attack Trump’s character or intellect rather than logically refuting Trump’s remarks, Biden would be viewed as disgracing himself.

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Maybe, but how cool would it be if he walked onto the stage carrying a giant inflatable shark?

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Bern, I believe I would prefer a most dignified take-down of Trump, while also both amplifying his (Biden’s) meritorious accomplishments and advancing his plans moving forward.

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Dignity has its place, and Uncle Joe has plenty, enough so he can afford to let his freak flag every once in a while...

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Donnie Shitstain is what Jeff Tiedrich calls him. :)

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Quote him, shouldn’t be hard.

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Jeri, I believe more is involved than merely quoting Trump. Biden needs to be so well prepped that he extemporaneously can call out Trump’s answers to questions that don’t square with facts.

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Couldn’t agree more, wish MSM would have that as a goal in their reporting

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Jeri, You and I both!

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Barbara Jo, I wonder if SCOTUS will issue its opinion regarding presidential immunity on Wednesday (although I find it doubtful they would -- for various political reasons.) It would certainly add some spice to the debate on Thursday.

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Doug, Because the Court already succeeded in delaying a trial until after the election, that dismal fact, in my view, is the only fact that matters, and it matters greatly.

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Barbara Jo -- speaking on MSNBC last night, Neal Katyal said he believes that SCOTUS will issue the balance of its decisions between Wed -Fri of this week, but that Roberts would be unlikely to release immunity decision before the debate -& so likely to be the last one before they cower for the summer.

I agree -- a dismal fact, indeed. I'd even add "shameful".

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I’m confident Biden will mop the floor with Trump in the Debate. I’m looking forward to wearing my Biden/Harris shirt grocery shopping for debate snacks. 🛒👕🍿

DemsMakeLifeBetter.org

BeantownStrong.org

Every paragraph of HCR makes me more proud to wear it.

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In Texas that would put a bulls eye on your back. There are very few political symbols worn in public here. It’s already Gestapo country

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Jeri, I wear mine in Florida — on 51 grocery Runs so far — with Zero negative comments. And believe me, I was afraid it would put a bullseye on my back here, too.

I choose grocery stores because they are well lit and populated. It's also advantageous that people want to get in and out. No one is looking to pick a fight in the produce section. Your fear is justified. But my experience has renewed my faith in humanity.

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I still wear my "Make Racism Wrong Again" and my "Science Doesn't Care What You Think" tees. No negative comments. and some positive ones. A few less threats would be nice.

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Same in Oklahoma. I am now a member of the Lincoln County Democrats … attended a great picnic where I met Madison Horn (candidate for Congress with an awesome cybersecurity background). But no one wears political t-shirts or has campaign posters in their windows. No car bumper stickers either.

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Very different from previous elections. I did see one bumper sticker, "Maga Republican." I was mortified that somebody was that proud of stupidity. Not another one though.

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Why do people remain living in TX and FL kind of states?

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I moved to FL from Los Angeles so my daughter could grow up knowing her grandparents. In 2018, DeSantis only won the governorship by .4%. Florida is a lot more purple than it seems and I'm doing all I can to turn it blue.

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Options taper off for old people, In 2016, I decided to stay here and fight.

Now I'm without resources to leave. Not everyone can vote with their feet.

There was a time... Magats and the young are either enamored with the shinny objects or numb to the danger..

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Understood. This makes me sad.

I am in the same boat in MA too. I am ready to move and can't afford to. At least in MA we have a teeny feeling of safety, though if tffg wins all bets are off everywhere.

Stay strong.

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Maine seems like heaven compared with Texas these days. Hasn’t always been so. The evil trio has done their best to destroy what was good about Texas

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It would be nice if the moderator would introduce Convicted Felon Donald Trump that way. But I'm sure Biden will get in his digs on CFDT's legal status.

Last week in Chicago an Illinois state Senator became a convicted felon. I'm sure Biden set her up. /S

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That classic Shawn…😂😂😂😂

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Worse than the head of the kgb.

In an interview by Bill Kristol, Anne Applebaum put it this way, “The Kremlin views Trump like a Gorbachev, someone who can crash an entire system/government.”

This makes total sense. It’s Putin’s and all of Russia’s biggest insecurity of all. The loss of their empire that was the USSR. More than anything, they want us in America to feel the shock, shame, embarrassment of losing everything.

“It doesn’t matter that Americans don’t care about Russia, when it turns out, Russia really does care about America.” Russia wants us to fail, and has been working in that direction for decades.

https://youtu.be/pTSjuTxUe_Y?si=ZUKiBWGbhKn5t6lN

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The repubs in Congress in the 90’s screwed any chance for helping Russia during their transition to ???

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“Capitalisms is no guarantee of Democracy. “

So eager for new markets, so many looked the other way. USSR needed a Marshall Plan, not Goldman Sachs/Wall Street, the rule of law not lawless corruption, institutions not cronyism.

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Capitalism is one of those “trust but verify” entities. Never to be let loose unencumbered

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